Compressor WithOUT Noise?

[markesquire]

I know that a compressor will generally generate noise b/c it brings quiet sounds up to volume.

Is there any way to defeat this? Even the best (Keeley) say that their compressors will simply have noise issues.

[JD0x0]

a good tube rack compressor will have alot less noise than a stompbox

[RodeoTex]

I understand (and I could be wrong) that noise during quiet times for a moment is just the nature of the beast. I've read something here about an attinuator that would set a noise floor, thus eliminating the hum when not playing.
I have not yet looked into it but it may be something worth persuing.

[11 Gauge]

Not a plug for the Visual Sound comp (I don't even remember the name of it), but it's supposed to have a noise reduction circuit.

I don't own one so I can't speak from experience, however.

But if noise really is the prevailing factor above all else, I'd at least give the VS comp a try, if possible.

[Del Pickup]

I have to say that my Barber Tone Press doesn't seem to bring any noise to the equation unless my Hotcake is on at the same time when there is some noise (but this is associated with the OD from the Hotcake).

On its own the Barber is very quiet.

[Pinball_Wizard]

The Guyatone St-2 is an excellent sounding comp that only adds noise w/ single coils when cranked.

For most compression applications; no noise is added.
great sounding to; the one downside is it has a passive buffer. doesn't tonesuck, but the ambient harmonic highs are rolled off a bit.

[Uma Floresta]

Maybe if you used something more like a limiter - something that limits the loudness but doesn't bring up the quiet parts?

[E5RSY]

Speaking of the Visual Sound Comp 66, is anyone else confused as to why they included a tone control on that unit? Shouldn't tone be handled elsewhere?

Scott

[giantslayer]

Here's the thing: most of that noise doesn't come from the compressor, but from your guitar. The noise is part of the signal that the compressor raises the volume on. The ideal solution is to get quiet pickups.

[Chito]

My GoudieFX Compressor is not noisy at all. As already mentioned, the noise you hear is most probably coming from a different source other than the pedal. For example, if you don't have anything between the compressor, which is usually placed first in the effects signal, and the guitar and it is noisy, the noise is coming from your guitar. If you are using a humbucking pup, you shouldn't hear any noise at all.

[Astro1176]

Some compressors do have a degree of self noise. I have a Cmatmods deluxe Signa Comp, which is based on the original dynacomp but has a lot of upgraded higher spec parts to reduce the noise and possibly raise the quality. I haven't been able to compare it with a genuine script dyna comp, but it certainly compliments my Tele really well and has very low noise, even if for some reason I have it on at the same time as going through a Rat on high gain, the noise increase is not obtrusive at all.

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

Not a plug for the Visual Sound comp (I don't even remember the name of it), but it's supposed to have a noise reduction circuit.

I don't own one so I can't speak from experience, however.

But if noise really is the prevailing factor above all else, I'd at least give the VS comp a try, if possible.

I own a Visual Sound Route 66, and yes it does have a built in noise reduction circuit that can be turned on or off and has a trimpot to adjust the amount of noise reduction. I tried it side by side with a Dynacomp and my EHX Sould Preacher and it is MUCH quieter than either even with the factory setting of minimal noise reduction. I think it's a great feature and it's staying on my pedalboard. Anyone want to buy an EHX Soul Preacher?

[Lobstapickin]

I must have an old 66, no NR on mine...

The RNC is a really clean unit as well.

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by E5RSY

Speaking of the Visual Sound Comp 66, is anyone else confused as to why they included a tone control on that unit? Shouldn't tone be handled elsewhere?

Scott

Lots of compressor pedals have EQ. Uh, Boss CS-3 for example....

I beleive the tone knob is to boost some frequencies that are reduced by the compressor. I really squash my Rickenbacker 12-string with my Route 66 and dialing some high freqs back in makes it chime. The cool thing about the Route 66 is that the tone control can be turned on or off from the face of the pedal if someone doesn't want to be bothered with it.

[metropolis74]

Originally Posted by Lobstapickin

I must have an old 66, no NR on mine...

It's only on the cicuitboards of the new redesigned versions. V2 I think is what they're called.

[mojoming]

Originally Posted by giantslayer

Here's the thing: most of that noise doesn't come from the compressor, but from your guitar. The noise is part of the signal that the compressor raises the volume on. The ideal solution is to get quiet pickups.

He speaks the truth.

Also look for a compressor with a short release time

[CLAZ]

this is why i add just enuff sustain to get some "greeze" and leave it set that way for the rest of the night and or session etc and try not to oversquash which adds noise and not to mention colors and changes the character of your overdrive pedals too much as well IMO....some squish is great though, just don't overkill

[BrianF]

To reduce the inevitable noise increase for small signal level...you can follow a compressor with a Noise Gate...It's essentially a squelch circuit. It has a threshold that you set....for small signals nothing gets past the Noise gate....if the signal is greter than the threshold theNoise Gate becomes transparent. The TC Electronics "Sustain + Parametric EQ" pedal has a built in noise gate...

[guit30]

Lots of stuff going into a compressor make it noisey, comps with optic circuits are usually quiet, My Wampler Ego compressor is quiet unless I max out all of the knobs, My Hartman Comp is a very quiet pedal, but orange squeezers usually are not very loud, Loudest pedal I ever used was the 76 RI Dynacomp, it was unreal , I loved the tone of it though, I had an idea, put a noisegate pedal after it, they are not supposed to change the effect. Visual Sounds Compressor, I did not like, the sustain sounded plastic, it had one of those visual chips in it , not a Ca3080, Those pedal comparisons done by Visual sounds had to be biased some way, When I listened to his overdrive comparison, they all sounded exactly the same and the best was his, I have heard all of those pedals and they do not even sound similar, I do agree, too many pedals, it gets confusing, I look at major artist boards and sometimes I see Boss pedals and ones like the average Joe uses. I have never used Boss's CS3 comp, it must be good, a lot of pros use it. There must be something good about Boss pedals, cause why are they and Ibanez the most modde?
Jim

[Tele-phone man]

The best thing you can do for yourself is to make your guitar as noise-free as possible. I don't have noise issues except in the worst environments (lots of dimmers in the house) because of noise-free pickups and lots of attention to shielding. Under most conditions, neither compressors nor dirt pedals nor combinations of both cause me undo noise, and I use no active noise conditioning. Also, learn to turn down your guitar when not playing. It still amazes me how many guitarists just leave their volume controls wide open when not playing and allow huge amounts of hum and buzz to just lay there in the background between songs, or while another instrument or singer is taking the lead.